Though he is currently not in season, our son Taylor and I were talking about coaching the other day and he said something interesting. “If I could have the discipline to live my life the way a great coach goes through a season, I would benefit.”
I see truth in this statement IF God is first in the coach’s life… then the important things stay the important things. On a team, the players are far more important than a record… just as in life, a spouse and kids and loved ones are far more important than any professional accomplishment. A unified team that cares for one another, works hard AND honors God shines brightly in today’s world. A person who is honest, who works hard, who treats others with kindness AND who lives for Jesus ‘shines like a star in the universe.’
In a season, as in life, there are highs and lows. The highs should not make one arrogant or complacent and the lows should not destroy. A coach and team must learn to persevere, as do all followers of Jesus. At the end of a season, a coach wants to be able to honestly say: ‘We gave our all; we did our best.’ At the end of life, we just want to hear our Heavenly Father say: ‘Well done My good and faithful servant.’
“Taylor, I need to think about this. In your analogy, I guess I’m in the fourth quarter.” He replied, “Dad, you’ve been in overtime for the past ten years!” Not coaching now, dreams of constant fellowship with God bring much more joy than thoughts of competition. So here’s my prayer:
‘Heavenly Father, You knew the number of my days before I was born. Let me trust You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Let me acknowledge You in everything and walk Your straight path. Holy Spirit, please work powerfully in me. Remind me of Jesus and His words each day. I want the mind of Christ. Lead me into truth; let me live a disciplined life; do not let me stumble. Dear Jesus, I want to run my race the way You ran Yours… in perfect fellowship with Your Father. Despite the criticisms and opposition, You gave Your all and won the victory. Let me remember that I am in You and You are in me. Amen.’
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24-27
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3